Christian rockers The Almost at Electric Factory

By DENNY DYROFF, For the Journal Register News Service

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Usually, bands go through a time-proven process of recording an album, releasing it and then going out on tour in support of the new disc. The Almost, a band that will be in Philadelphia for a show at the Electric Factory on March 15, has followed that pattern — almost.

The five-piece rock band, which is based in Florida and North Carolina, has a new album to go along with the tour — almost. The Almost has its third album ready for its fans, but it will not be released until next month. “Fear Inside Our Bones” is set for release April 9 on Tooth &Nail/EMI/Universal. It was produced by Marshall Altman and recorded in Nashville.

“We’ve been out for a few days and already have had three sold-out shows,” said Musten, during a phone interview last week on the way from Chicago to a tour stop in Detroit. “We’re looking at April for the album release. We’re just doing a little pre-album drop touring right now — playing some new songs…getting people’s ears ready.

“We actually recorded the album in May of last year. We had three days of rehearsals and then made the album in one week. We recorded it at Omni Studios in Nashville and it was all live — all of us in one room playing together. For each song, we’d play through it a couple times. Actually, a couple of the songs were done in one take — just like the early days of rock-and-roll.

“Bands like Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath — their recordings were all done in one room with everyone together. That’s the vibe we wanted to get. We really believe that you don’t have to use a billion tracks to get the sound you want. With us, it was a case of playing music with friends and seeing what happens.”

Still, the band did its homework prior to travelling to Nashville to make the album.

“We got together in a practice space and spent a week writing songs there,” said Musten. “It was a pretty productive time. By the time we got to Nashville, we had about 12 songs ready to be recorded for the album.

“There is a four-year gap between this one and our last album. That was because of our heavy touring schedule, Adam’s touring schedule with his solo stuff and home life. Adam started this band by himself in 2006 and I joined in 2009.”

Gillespie’s primary gig is serving as the drummer in the alt-rock band Underoath. Gillespie also handles lead vocals, guitar, keyboard and percussion with The Almost. Underoath built its success initially as a Christian Rock band and then crossed over into the mainstream a few years ago. The Almost has followed a similar path.

“Both bands are Christian bands,” said Gillespie. “To me, that means we try to live our lives like Christ did. He didn’t stay in temples. He was out living and interacting with people — all types of people. That’s what we want to do. We don’t really preach to the chorus.”

The Almost will perform March 15 at 8:30 p.m. at the Electric Factory (421 North Seventh Street, Philadelphia, 215-627-1332, www.electricfactory.info). Tickets are $25.